Hi there,
Let me include my general consulting job tips below, but I'll also add some thoughts on WFH specifically:
WFH Tips:
- Get the right equipment and make sure it's ergonomic (good chair, 1-2 monitors, a keyboard, etc) - set it up with the right levels (look up how to do this on Google)
- Don't overthink things -it's easy to get in your own head with WFH i.e. read into messages or videoconferencing meetings too much. When in doubt, pick up the phone and have a chat!
- Reach out to a bunch of people for intro calls - get to know them and have them get to know you
- Figure out a few people that are new as well, and propose weekly catchups
- Get outside - at least once a day for 30 minutes. Taking a walk is huge for your mental health
- Setup in a well-lit place - again mental health is huge here!
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GENERAL TIPS
First: Read the 25 tips in my consulting handbook here: https://www.spencertom.com/2018/01/14/consulting-survival-guide/
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Second: In terms of things you can learn/do to prepare beforehand:
1) Daily Reading
- The Economist, The Financial Times, BCG/Mskinsey Insights
2) Industry deep-dives
- Learn, in-depth, how the industries/companies your office advises, work. (PM me for an industry overview template)
3) Analytics tools
4) Excel
- Pivottables
- Working with data
- Key fuctions (vlookup, Index match, count and sum if/ifs, sumproduct, concat, etc.)
- Hotkeys (i.e. use keyboard more than your mouse)
- Financial modeling
5) Powerpoint
- Wireframing
- Lead-in titles
- Best practices/standards
- Different layouts
- Quickly editing/updating slides
- Thinking in PowerPoint
6) Presentation skills / sharp communication
- There are some online/virtual classes for this
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Third: In terms of doing well in your role when you're there:
1) Understand the context/prompt (what role are you in, what company, who's watching, etc.)
2) Understand the objective (what, specifically, is expected from you...both day to day, and in your overall career progression)
3) Quickly process information, and focus on what's important - Take a lot of information and the unknown, find the most logical path, and focus on that.
4) Be comfortable with the unknown, and learn to brainstorm - think/speak like an expert without being one
In summary, there will always be a flood of information, expectations, competition etc. and not enough time. Find out which ones matter when. (i.e. be visibile and focus efforts on the things that people care about)
Some Excellent Q&As
What to expect in the first 90 days (and how to thrive) - https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/first-90-days-as-associate-business-analyst-consultant-7185
What to prepare/learn beforehand - https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-best-preppare-for-a-consulting-position-if-you-have-a-couple-of-months-of-free-time-7164
How to improve your ability to remember details - https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-improve-ability-to-remember-details-is-it-important-in-consulting-6998
How to be confident - https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-build-up-confidence-and-look-smart-and-sharp-in-a-consultant-role-6955
Notetaking effectively - https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/note-taking-7215